Pulp molding machine



A. E. COMSTQCK PULP MOLDING MACHINE March 31, 1959 Filed July 16, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

March 31, 1959 COMSTOCK 2,879,697

PULP MOLDING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1952 5 shets-snet 2 INVENTOR.

A. E. coMsTock PULP MOLDING MACHINE Mai'ch 31, 1959 Filed July 16. '1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 United StatesPatent O 2,879,697 PULP MOLDING MACHINE Alfred E. Comstoclr, Palmer, Mass., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Diamond Gardner Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application July 16, 1952, Serial No. 299,213

14 Claims. (Cl. 92-56) This invention relates to pulp molding machines of the type comprising a rotatable frame provided with a series It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved pulp molding machine wherein a series of forming dies are mountedon a rotatable frame which is so positioned relative to a container having therein a supply of liquid pulp material that the foraminous and contoured outer or molding faces of the dies are immersed in the fluid material, upon rotation of the frame, for a sufiicient length of time to accumulate thereon, by means of suction applied to the interior of the molding face, a layer of pulp forming an article of the desired shape and wherein a series. of drying forms are arranged on an endless conveyor having one end thereof supported adjacent the forming die frame with a combined means for driving both the rotatable forming die frame and the conveyor and for aligning the contoured outer face of each drying form with a forming die to permit transfer of the still wet and soft molded pulparticle from the forming die to the drying form while they are in substantially parallel spaced relation whereby there is no scufiing or damaging of the article while the drying form and forming die are brought into and out of face alignment 2 and while the article is transferred, from one to the other.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a pulp molding apparatus comprising a rotatable frame having a forming die thereon adapted to receive on a foraminous molding face thereof a layer of wet pulp forming a molded article, a driven conveyor having a drying form thereon with a face which is complementary to the molding face of the forming die, the rotatable frame and the conveyor being so arranged that the come plementary faces on the drying form and the molding die may be brought into opposed relation, means on the res tatable frame and the drying form adapted to be interengaged for a predetermined period of time to tilt the drying form and hold the face thereof in substantially aligned, parallel, spaced relation with the face of t the. forming die and with the die carrying frame being rotated by movement of the conveyor and means to trans: fer the molded article from the forming die to the drying form while the faces thereof are held in aligned parallel relation.

It'is another object of the invention to provide a pulp molding machine having a rotatable frame on which a plurality of forming dies are peripherally spaced, each of the dies having a foraminous contoured outer face 2,879,697 Patented Mar. 31, 1.959

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the molded article, and a continuous sprocket driven chainconveyor having a plurality of drying forms arranged on the links thereof, each of the drying forms having an outer face'complementary to the contoured face of a forming die,- the chain conveyor being arranged with the drive sprocket above and somewhat beyond the rotatable die carrying frame so that the lower reach of the conveyor travels in a horizontal plane generally parallel with and somewhat below a plane tangent to the top pointvofthe path of the forming dies, and movable tooth-like formations on the forming die frame which are operated to engage the pivot connections between the chain links as they approach the die carrying frame whereby to tilt the trailing end of each link and align the face of the drying form thereon with the face of a forming die and to bring the faces of the drying form and forming die into" opposed parallel relation whereby to permit movement of the same toward and from each other in parallel relation while the wet and soft molded pulp article is transferred from the forming die tothe drying form, with the die carrying frame being rotated by engagement of the tooth-like formations with the driven chain links. r g

It is another object of the invention to provide a pulp molding machine comprising a rotatable drum on which a plurality of forming dies are peripherally spaced, each ofthedies having an outer foraminous face which is contoured to receive a layer of wet pulp forming the molded article, and an endless sprocket driven chain conveyor having a plurality of drying forms arranged in fixed relation on the links thereof, each of thedrying forms having an outer face which is complementary to the ,contoured face of a forming die, the chain conveyorbeing arranged so that the lower reach of theconveyor travels in a horizontal plane above the forming die drum, and radially movable means on the drum for engagement with the pivot connections between the chain links on the conveyor as they move into the path of movement of the forming dies to tilt each link and align the face of the drying form thereon vwith the face of an oncoming forming die and position the complementary faces for movement in opposed parallel relation and toward and from each other while the ,wet and soft molded pulp article is transferred from the forming die to the drying form, with the chain engaging means rotating the forming die frame in synchronism with the movement of the chain conveyor. I ;These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the apparatus which is shown byway of illustration in the accompanying draw: ings, wherein: v Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation andpartly in section of apparatus forming a portion, of a molding machine which incorporates therein the principal features of the invention; Fig. 2a view partly in elevation and partly in section, the view extending in a direction axially of the molding or forming cylinder and having portions broken away; and I Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are detail views, partially in side elevation and partially in section, and to an enlargedscale,

showing the movement of the molding die and drying form adjacent the point where the transfer of the molded article is effected.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated apparatus forming a portion of a molding machine which incor:

which is adapted to receive a layer of wet pulp forming if porates therein various features of the invention and which is particularly adapted for the manufacture of a molded pulp article, such as an egg carton, or a similar article, requiring a forming die having a molding face which is characterized by projecting portions of substantial size separated by relatively deep valleys or recesses. Only that'p'ortion ofthe molding machine is illustrated which has to do "with the depositing of the pulp on the'molding face of the forming die to form the article and the transfer of the same to a drying form on a traveling conveyor which transports 'the article to the drying and finishing apparatus. Since the apparatus for drying and finishing the article forms no part ofthe present invention it'isnot illustrated.

The illustrated apparatus comprises a turret or molding cylinder 10 which is rotatably supported'on a horizontal shaft 'or'axle I1'and which'carries thereon in spaced relation around the periphery thereof a plurality of forming dies 12. The cylinder 10 is arranged for rotating movement about the axis of the shaft 11 directly above the open top of a container or vat 13 which is'supplied with a quantity of liquid pulp material 14. The pulp material or slurry 14 comprises pulp fibers in Water or other 'liquid of a consistency which will permit deposit of the pulp fibers in acontinuous layer on the outer surface of a foraminous or perforated face of the forming die 12 by suction appliedto theinterior surface ofthe molding face. The cylinder 10 is arranged on'its shaft above the opencontainer 13 so than-upon rotation of the cylinder 10, the dies 12'have their molding faces immersed in the liquid material 14 as they traverse the lower portion oftheir path to permit accumulation thereon of a uniform layer of the wet pulp fibers. The liquid material 14 is maintainedat a predetermined level 15 in the container -13 by a'supply line '(not shown) and the layer'of the-wet pulp fibers is accumulated on eachsuccessive die 12 as thernolding face of each die passes through the material 14, the direction of rotation of cylinder 10 being clockwise as indicated by the arrows in Fig. l.

An-endless chain conveyor 16 is supported at one end one sprocket formation 17 arrangedonashaft 18 which is parallel'with the shaft 11 and spacedabove the same slightly forwardly/thereof in the direction of rotation of the cylinder 10, so that the lower run'of the conveyor 1.6 passes'between the 'cylinder'm and the sprocket formation 17 as'it commences to'move in a circular path around the sprocket 17 A plurality of drying frames 19 are mounted on the conveyor -16 and extend between oppositely disposed links 20 of the chains which form the side members of the conveyor 16. The drying frames 19 are adapted to receive the still wet and soft layer of pulp forming themolded'article from the forming dies 12 on the cylinder 10 and to carry thesame around'the sprocket formation 17 and over the top run of the conveyor 16 to the drying and finishing apparatus, the molded articles being removed from the machine when the drying and finishing operations are completed.

The shaft 11 supporting the cylinder 10 ismounted in suitable-end bear ings21 in laterally sp'acedside plates22 forming p'ortions of the supporting frame for the machine. The body of the cylinder comprises-a plurality of Whe'eldike sections'23 inaligned'relat'ion axially'of the shaft I1. Each of the sections 23 comprisesa' hollowhublike' portion 24keyed to the shaft lland having spokelike formations 25 extending in a generally-radial direction and which are aligned with like formations in the adjoining sections. The spoke formations 25 are hollow and provide radially extending passageways 26 which are 'in communicating relation with axially extending passageways 27 in the hub-like portions 24. 'Thesp'oke formadons-25 are'separated by web portions '28. Each spoke formation 25 extends to a fiat surface 29'forming'a portionof the periphery of the cylinder 10. Each of the flat surfaces 29 carries an axially extending supporting member 30 for the forming dies "12, a plurality of "the diesl2being arranged in axially spacedrelation across thecylinder -10.

:Each of the for'ming dies 12 comprises theopen face box-like su port 30 and a'foraminous screen 32 which formsthe outer errnelding face of'thedie'. 'The screeu 32 iscontcuredito provide 'the desired sha e for thernolded article. When the article is a carton of the type employed in the packaging of eggs, "the outer "face of the screen 32 includes projecting portions 33 (Figs. 3 to 5) and recesses 34 which are of substantial depth.

At the ends of the cylinder 10 the end face of each end section 23 is provided with an end plate 35 having apertures 36 conforming to the passageways 27 in the hub section of the cylinder. A channel-like edge formation 37 on the periphery of the end plate 35 receives in rotatable relation a flange formation 38 on the periphery of the inner'face of the two-part suction box 39 which is secured in fixed relation at the end of the shaft 11. The suction box 39 is ,provided with an inner bearing portion or sleeve 40 permitting the shaft 11 to extend through the same, The suction box 39 is divided into compartments 41, 42 and 43 which are connected by suitable lines 44, 45 and 46 (Fig. 2) to suction and blow off apparatus (not shown). The inner face of the suction box 39 is apertur e'd to provide communication between the passageways 27 in the cylinder 10 and the suction and blow off compartments 41, 42 and 43 during rotative movement of the dies 12through the container '13 and up to'the point "where the pulp article is transferred to the drying form 19.

Bet'weeneach of the dies '12 on the periphery of the cylinder 10 a movable tooth formation 47 is provided which is arranged at one end of an elongated plate 48. Thecther'end of each plate 48 is pivoted at 49 adjacent the peripheral margin of'an end plate SO'Which is secured to the'end section 23 on the cylinder 10 and rotates with the same. 'Each tooth formation or member 47 is providedwith-a cam roller '51 which is adapted to engage a fixed cam 52 mounted on a bracket '53 extending from the side frame plate 22. The tooth forming members 47 are providedwith outwardly opening semi-circular sockets 54 which are moved by the cam 52'into engagement with successive pivot pins 55 connecting the links '20 of the chaiu conveyor 16'. The plates 48 are mounted for swinging niovernent about'pivots 49 with conventional means, such "as a pin and slot 56, for limiting'the extent of the movement.

The sprocket formation 17 which supports the end of the conveyor16 comprises a central hub portion which is hollow, 'providing axially extending passageways 61. Thepassageways 61 are connected at the ends of the sproc'ket'with a suction'compartment (not shown) in a fixed suction box 62, the compartments being connected by a-line 63 with a suction device.

The drying frames 19 are secured between the chain links 20 by brackets 64 and comprise a box-like body portion -65 and a plurality of perforated or foraminous screens or forms 66 which extend axially of the frames l 9 'and in spaced relation corresponding to the forming dies '12. The screens or forms 66 are shaped to mate withthescreens 32'0f the dies 12. Theyinclude projecting iportions 67*and separating recesses 68 which are oomplementaryto the recesses 34 and projections 33 of the screens 32.

A plurality of suction boxes 69 are provided which are mounted in spaced relation about the periphery of the sprocket formation 17. Each box 69 is mounted on a pivot 70 extending along the leading edge of the box an'cl in'axial alignment with a tooth on the sprocketformation. A cam roller 71 is provided at each end of the box 'on'an axis extending adjacent the trailing edge of the-box, opposite the pivot 76. The cam roller 71 is received in a -'cam track 72 secured by brackets 73 in fixed r'elation 'to "the side frame plate 22 which controls the itilting 'or pivotal movement of the suction box 69 as it travels around the curved'path of the sprocket 17. Each of the suction boxes 69 is connected by a suitable hose line 74 to-'asuction compartment or passageway 61 rnt'h'e hub'p'ortion-o'f the sprocket formation 17. 'The outer cro 'en race preach of the suction boxes 69 is provided with n "gasket 75 for sealing engagement with the inner open face of a drying frame 65. The arrange- ;ment of the drying frames 65 and the suction boxes 69'is such that upon movement of the drying frames 65 into thecircular path of the sprocket 17 a suction box 69 is aligned with the drying frame so that the hollow interiors of the two box-like members are in communi cating relation and form, with the hose connection 74 and passageway 61, a continuous vpassageway for the application of suction through the perforated forms 66.

I The movable teeth 47 on the molding cylinder are adapted to engage with successive pivot pins 55 connecting the links 20 of the chain conveyor 16 as the lower run of the conveyor 16 reaches a point just prior to engagement with the end sprocket formation 17. The cam 52 is arranged to elevate the teeth 47 in such a manner that eachvdrying frame 19 is tilted (Figs. 3 to 5) as it approaches a die 12 on the cylinder 10 and brought into parallel relation with the die 12 as they move into relatively close parallel relation. Just prior to the point where the die 12 passes through the vertical center of the molding cylinder 10 the cam 52 causes the leading end of the oncoming frame 19 to be raised out of its normal horizontal path so that the opposed form 66 and molding screen 32 approach each other at a less acute angle in order to avoid interference between the projecting portions 33 and 67. As the die 12 reaches its uppermost point the faces of the die 12 and its mating frame 19 move toward each other while traveling in very nearly parallel relation for a predetermined portion of their linear movement, sufiicient to permit transfer of the wet pulp' article from the die 12 to the drying frame 19 while they are aligned and passing between the cylinder 10 and the lower run of the conveyor 16. The engagement of the teeth 47 with the pivots 55 connecting the chain links 20 serves to drive the cylinder 10 in synchronism with the conveyor 16 which is in turn driven by a gear 76 connected to a suitable source of power (not shown).

I claim:

1. In a molding apparatus, a rotatable frame, a forming die carried on said frame and having a molding face on the periphery thereof adapted to receive thereon a layer of pulp material forming a molded article, a link chain conveyor having upper and lower runs, a driven sprocket arranged immediately adjacent and above said frame, said sprocket supporting one end of said conveyor, a drying form carried on a chain link and having a face complementary to the molded face of said layer of pulp, said sprocket and said frame being arranged on vertically spaced axes so that the lower run of the conveyor chain advances toward said sprocket in a plane generally parallel to a plane which is tangent to and somewhat below the top point in the path of said forming die and then moves upwardly around said sprocket away from the path of movement of said forming die whereby the faces of said forming die and said drying form may be brought into parallel spaced relation as they approach each other and advance simultaneously over a predetermined portion of their paths, and interengaging means on said frame and said conveyor to tilt the chain link on which the drying form .is carried about a transverse axis and out of its normal path of advancing movement as the drying form and forming die approach each other and decrease the angle of approach of the faces thereof, said interengaging means causing the faces of the forming die and drying form to move toward and from each other in parallel alignment during a predetermined linear movement and thereafter to move away from each other in angular relation.

2. In a molding apparatus, a rotatable drum, a forming die fixed on said drum and having a molding face on the periphery thereof adapted to receive thereon a layer of pulp material forming a molded article, a link chain conveyor having upper and lower runs, a driven sprocket supporting one end of said conveyor, a drying form carried on a chain link and having a face generally contplementary to the molding face on the forming die, said sprocket and said drum being arranged immediately adjacent each other so that the lower run of the conveyor chain normally moves in a straight path toward the upper periphery of the path of a forming die on said drum as said lower run advances in the same direction as the direction of advancing movement of said drum and then passes upwardly around its supporting sprocket away from said drum whereby the faces of said forming die and said drying form are brought into predetermined parallel spaced relation above said drum, and interengaging means on said drum and said conveyor arranged to tilt the chain link on which the drying form is carried out of its normal path and decrease the angle of approach of the opposed faces of the drying form and forming die as they approach each other, said interengaging means aligning said drying form with said forming die and causing the faces thereof to move toward and from each other in parallel alignment during a portion of the movement of tne forming the and drying form immediately preceding their closest approach to each other.

3. In apparatus for molding pulp articles, a container having a nquid pulp material therein, a molding member, means supporting said molding member for continuous rotative movement above said container, said molding member being mounted on said supporting means so that upon rotation of the same the outer face is'moved through the liquid pulp material, the outer face of said molding member being adapted to receive thereon a layer or the wet pulp as it moves through the liquid pulp material, an endless conveyor, means ad acent said molding member supporting means for supporting one end of said conveyor for continuous movement along a lower run and upwardly around the supporting means therefor and away from said molding member supporting means, a drying form member on said endless conveyor, said drying form member having a face which is complementary to the outer face of said layer of wet pulp, said supporting means being spaced relative to each other and being operated to advance the molding member and the drying form member toward each other and into close proximity along a portion of the path of movement of said members, and mechanism operative on said drying form conveyor to move said conveyor out of itsnormal path and tilt said drying form relative to said path so as to reduce the angle of approach of the face of said drying form and the face of said molding member as said drying form member approaches said molding member to bring the face of said drying form into opposed, spaced, parallel and aligned relation with the face of the continuously advancing molding member for a predetermined period of movement of said conveyor dur-' ing which said molding form and said drying form pass between said conveyor end supporting means and said molding member supporting means to permit transfer of the layer of pulp from the molding member to the drying form during said period and without interrupting the advancing movement of said conveyor and said molding member supporting means.

4. In a pulp molding machine, a container having a supply of liquid pulp material therein, a continuously rotating drum mounted above said container, a forming die having a molding face mounted in fixed relation on said drum, a continuously moving endless conveyor having one end supported adjacent said drum, a drying form mounted on said conveyor and having a face generally complementary to said molding face, means for rotating said drum and for moving said conveyor with a continuous and sub stantially uniform movement to bring said forming die and said drying form into opposed relation while said drum and said conveyor arecontinuously advancing said forming die and said drying form, and means operative on said conveyor to bodily swing said drying formrelative to the normal path of movement of the conveyor there- -byto'reduc'e the angle of approach of "the faceof the drying-form and the face-of the forming dieand bring the face-of the drying form into a plane generally parallel 't-o-'and spaced fromthe molding face on said forming die as said forming-.dieand said dryingcform advance'toward each- -other and move between said drum and the end of said conveyor, without interrupting the advancing movement of-said drying form'and said forming die. '5. Ida pulp molding -machine,'a container having a supplyofliquid pulp-material therein, a rotating cylinder mounted above-said container, a forming die having a moldingface mounted on said cylinder, 21 chain link coneyor,- a rotating sprocket mounted immediately above said cylinder and supporting one end of said conveyor, a drying frame rigidly seeured'to a chainlink on said conveyor, said. drying frame havin g a drying form thereon with aface generally complementary to said molding face, means for rotating said cylinder and .said sprocket-in opposite directions with a continuous uniform movement and inltimed relation wherebysaid drying frame isadvanced toward said cylinder along the lower runofsaid conveyorina path-which-is normally straight and then passesupwardly aroundsaid sprocket and said forming die and saiddrying frame are broughtinto oppositely disposed aligned relationduringa portion of their'movement, and means for engaging-said conveyorlink to move .said'linkupwardly out of the normal-path of movement thereof and to reduce the angle of approach of said drying form andmoldingfaces and bring the face of said drying'frame into generally parallel spaced relation with the-molding face onsaid forming die as said drying frame and forming die approach each other andmove in aligned relation between said cylinder and said sprocket. -6. In a molding apparatus, arotatable drum, aforming die fixed on said drum and having a-molding face adaptedto receive thereon-a layer of pulp material forming-amolded article,-a chainlink conveyor havingupper andlower-runs, a driven-sprocket supporting one endof said conveyor immediately adjacent said drum, a drying form carried on a chain link and having-a face complementary tov said molding face, said sprocket and said conveyor being positioned vertically so that the lower run of the conveyor chain advances in a normally straight line path above said drum and then moves upwardly aboutesaid sprocket whereby the complementary faces of said formingdie and said drying form are advanced toward each other into parallel spaced relation,.and interengaging means on said drum and said conveyor which isoperative uponengagementto tilt the leading end of the chain link on which the drying form is carried relative tothe normal path of movement of said lower run and decreasethe angle of approach of the faces of the drying form and forming die astheyadvanced toward each other, said means being operative to cause the faces thereof to move toward each other into parallel alignment during a-predetermined portion of the movement of the forming die and drying form immediately vpreceding their closest approach to each other.

7. In a molding apparatus, a rotatable cylinder, a forming die carried on said cylinder and having a molding face adapted to receive thereon a layer of pulp material forming a molded article, an endless conveyor having upper andlower runs, a driven sprocket supportingone end of said conveyor adjacent the top of said cylinder, said conveyor comprising laterally spaced link chains, a drying frame supported between opposed links of :saidchains and having a face generally complementary to the molding face of said forming die, said sprocket and said conveyor beingarranged so that the lower run ofthe conveyor advances in a plane normally parallel to aihorizontal plane which is tangent to the top point in the path of said forming die and then moves upwardly around its supporting sprocket and away from the path of movement of said forming die whereby the faces of said forming die and said drying frame may be brought into parallel relation, and means on said cylinderengageable with the chain links on saidconveyor to tilt the chain links on which the 'd'ryingframe is carried upwardly from their normal path immediately adjacent a point where the drying frame and forming die approach their erases:

relationship with each-other, whereby the angles of approach and separation of the faces thereof are decreased as-they move toward and from each other and pass between said cylinder and said sprocket.

-8. A molding machine comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder, a plurality of forming dies mounted in fixed spaced relation-around the periphery of the cylindeig'a container'having a supply of liquid pulp material therein, said'dies moving through'the pulp material at the bottom of their rotational path, meansassociated withthe dies to deposit thereon a layer of the pulp as they pass through the liquid material, an endless link chain conveyor, a plurality of drying forms supported on the links ofthe conveyor, a sprocket rotatably mounted above said cylinder and supporting one end-of said conveyor, mean for driving said sprocket, means on said cylinder engaging said conveyor for driving said cylinder in timed relation to said 'conveyor'whereby-to align the drying forms on the conveyor'with successive dies on the cylinder, suction boxes pivotally mounted on the sprocket, cam rollers mounted on each suction box and a fixed cam track controlling the pivotal movement of the suction boxes where by to engage each drying form to connect the same with a suction line as the drying forms move around the sprocket, and meansto'bring the faces of the drying forms into parallel relation to the faces of the forming 'dies when they are in alignment between the cylinder and'th'e' sprocket;

9. Amolding machine comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder, a plurality of forming dies mounted in spaced relation around the periphery of the cylinder, a container having a supply'of liquid pulp material therein, said dies moving through the pulp material at the bottom of their rotational path, means associated with the dies to deposit thereon a layer of the pulp as they pass through the liquid material, an endless conveyor having laterally spaced chain links, a plurality of drying forms supported between the chain links, a sprocket rotatably mounted above said'cylin'der and supporting one end of saidcconveyor, means for driving said sprocket, chain actuated means for driving said cylinder in timed relation to the movement of the conveyor to align the drying forms on the conveyor with successive dies on the cylinder, suction boxes pivotally mounted on the sprocket, means to control the pivotal movement of said suction boxes to engage each drying form and connect the same with a suction line as the drying forms move around the sprocket, and means to control the movement of the conveyor chains whereby to bring the faces of the drying forms into parallel relation to the faces of the forming dies while they are in alignment between the cylinder and the sprocket.

10. A molding machine comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder, a series of forming dies mounted in spaced relation around the periphery of the cylinder, a container beneath said cylinder, said container having a supply of liquid pulp material therein, the cylinder andthe container being arranged so that the dies move through the liquid material at the bottom of their rotational path, means to deposit on the dies a layer of the pulp as they pass through the liquid material, an endless link chain conveyor, a series of drying forms supported on the chain links of the conveyor, a sprocket formation rotatably mounted above said cylinder and supporting one end of saidconveyor, means for driving said sprocket formation, means on said cylinder engaging said conveyor fordriving said cylinder in timed relation to the movement of said conveyor whereby to align the drying forms on the conveyor with the dies on the cylinder, suction boxes.

swingably mounted on the sprocket formation, means controlling the swinging movement of the suction boxes whereby to engage the same with the drying forms to connect each form with a suction line as the drying forms move around the sprocket formation, and means to bring the faces of the drying forms and forming dies into parallel relation when they are in alignment between the cylinder and the sprocket formation.

11. A molding machine comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder, a series of forming dies arranged in spaced relation around the periphery of the cylinder, a container beneath said cylinder having a supply of liquid pulp material therein, the cylinder and container being arranged so that the dies move through the liquid material at the bottom of their rotational path, means to deposit on the dies a layer of the pulp as they pass through the liquid material, and endless conveyor having laterally spaced chain links, a series of drying forms supported between the links of the conveyor, a sprocket formation rotatably mounted above said cylinder and supporting one end of said conveyor, means for driving said sprocket formation, means on said cylinder engaging said conveyor for driving said cylinder in timed relation to said conveyor whereby to align the drying forms on the conveyor with the dies on the cylinder, suction box formations mounted on the sprocket formation for movement relative to said sprocket formation, means associated with said sprocket formation for controlling the movement of the suction box formations relative to said sprocket formation whereby to engage the same in operative relation with the dryinto alignment between the cylinder and the sprocket formation.

12. A molding machine comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder, a series of forming dies mounted in spaced relation around the periphery of the cylinder, a container beneath said cylinder having therein a supply of liquid pulp material at a height sufiicient for the dies to move through the same at the bottom of their rotational path, means to deposit on the dies a layer of the pulp as they pass through the liquid pulp material, an endless conveyor having laterally spaced chain links, a series of drying forms supported on said chain links, an end sprocket rotatably mounted above said cylinder and supporting one end of said conveyor, means for driving said sprocket, means on said cylinder engaging with said conveyor for driving said cylinder when said conveyor is driven by said sprocket in timed relation to said conveyor whereby to align the drying forms on the conveyor with the dies on the cylinder, said last mentioned means being arranged to bring the faces of the drying forms into parallel relation with the faces of the forming dies as they move into alignment between the cylinder and the sprocket, suction boxes mounted on the sprocket for movement relative to said sprocket, and cam means associated with said sprocket and said suction boxes for moving the suction boxes relative to said sprocket whereby to engage the same in operative relation with the drying forms as the drying forms move around the sprocket.

13. A molding machine comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder, a series of forming dies mounted in spaced relation around the periphery of the cylinder, a

container beneath said cylinder having therein a supply of liquid pulp material at sufficient height for the dies to move through the same at the bottom of their rotational path, means to deposit on the dies a layer of the pulp as they pass through the liquid material, an endless conveyor having laterally spaced chain links, a series of drying forms supported on said chain links, a sprocket rotatably mounted above said cylinder and supporting one end of said conveyor, means for driving said sprocket, suction boxes mounted on the sprocket for movement relative to said sprocket, cam means for moving the suction boxes relative to said sprocket upon rotation of said sprocket whereby to engage the same in operative relation with the drying forms as the drying forms move around the sprocket, tooth formations movably mounted on said cylinder, and means for moving said tooth formations relative to said cylinder and into engaging relation with said conveyor for driving said cylinder in timed relation to said conveyor when said conveyor is driven by said sprocket whereby to align the drying forms on the conveyor with the dies on the cylinder, said tooth formations being moved into engagement with the drying forms on the conveyor to tilt the drying forms and bring the faces of the drying forms and forming dies into parallel relation as they move into alignment between the cylinder and the sprocket.

14. A molding machine comprising a rotatably mounted cylinder, a series of forming dies mounted in spaced relation around the periphery of the cylinder, a container beneath said cylinder having therein a supply of liquid pulp material at a suflicient height for the dies to move through the same at the bottom of their rotational path, means to deposit on the dies a layer of the pulp as they pass through the liquid material, an endless conveyor having laterally spaced chain links, a series of drying forms supported on the chain links of the conveyor, a sprocket rotatably mounted above said cylinder and supporting one end of said conveyor, means for driving said sprocket, radially movable teeth on said cylinder engaging said conveyor for driving said cylinder in timed relation to said conveyor whereby to align the drying forms on the conveyor with the dies on the cylinder, suction boxes swingably mounted on the sprocket, a fixed cam means controlling the swinging movement of the suction boxes whereby to engage the same with the drying forms as the drying forms move around the sprocket, and means to move said teeth radially of the cylinder to bring the faces of the drying forms into parallel relation to the faces of the forming dies as they move into alignment between the cylinder and the sprocket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 558,676 Cunningham et al Apr. 21, 1896 959,928 Gentle May 31, 1910 969,540 Komarek Sept. 6, 1910 1,004,049 De Lukacsevics Sept. 26, 1911 1,179,840 Kelleher Apr. 18, 1916 1,391,973 Phillips Sept. 27, 1921 1,494,345 Eaid May 20, 1924 1,618,289 Koppelman Feb. 22, 1927 1,719,819 Koppelman July 2, 1929 1,967,361 Healy July 24, 1934 2,559,945 Chaplin July 10, 1951 

